A Far Sweeter Gift Than Coffee
Awesome, Coffee Shop, Employees, Inspirational, ISP, Kind Strangers, Ohio, USA | Working | June 30, 2022
I’ve just moved to a new town and have been having a nightmare of a time getting my Internet set up, mostly because the previous tenants never terminated their account with the only ISP that serves the apartment complex. I get home from work at around six in the evening, and three evenings in a row, I phone the Internet company and play run-around with a different person who gives me a different answer every time.
On the fourth evening, I’m so frazzled that I don’t bother to call back after the latest agent’s latest thing that doesn’t work. I decide to go to the coffee shop down the street and, if nothing else, at least get some Internet use while trying the ISP’s online helpdesk.
I walk in the door at 8:50 pm, and while I’m waiting in line, I hear the employees saying things that sound like they’re getting ready to close.
I place my order, and, dread clenching my stomach, I ask:
Me: “Um, when do y’all close?”
Cashier: “At nine. Are you okay?”
My whole body just deflates, and I’m struggling not to cry. The coffee shop in the town I just moved from had the lobby open twenty-four hours, and it never occurred to me that they would close.
The cashier is looking very concerned and repeats:
Cashier: “Are you okay? Do you need a ride or something? Do you need to borrow a phone?”
I explain, trying hard to keep my voice neutral.
Me: “Oh, no, thank you. I just moved here and I’m having a horrible time getting my Internet set up. I was hoping to come here and use the online helpdesk to get it set up, but since you’re closing—”
She gives me my coffee.
Cashier: “Hey, you can go ahead and stay. No problem.”
Me: “Are you sure?”
Cashier: “Yes, it’s fine! We’ll be here for an hour cleaning. We might play some music really loud if that’s okay with you.”
I’m almost on the verge of tears again, but happy ones.
Me: “Are you kidding?! You’re doing me a huge favor. You can do whatever you want! Thank you!”
I set up my laptop where they can see me from the register and get online. Within thirty minutes, the online agent has completely solved the problem with the previous tenant’s account, and they assure me that my Internet will be up and running by tomorrow afternoon.
Just as I’m about to start packing up, one of the employees comes up to me.
Employee: “Hey, do you like doughnut holes? We’re just going to have to throw these out.”
Me: “I sure do!”
She gave me a huge box full of doughnut holes that fed me for a week!
Between the awesome online help agent and those sweet girls, the worst part of my move became the best part! I can’t thank them enough!
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